dive into mark

A farmer got so old that he couldn’t work the fields anymore. He spent each day sitting on the porch from dawn until dusk. His son, still working the farm, would look up from time to time and see his father sitting there.

He’s of no use anymore, the son thought to himself. He never does anything!

One day the son got so frustrated by this, that he built a wooden coffin. He dragged it over to the porch, and ordered his father to get in. Without saying a word, the father climbed inside. The son closed the lid and dragged the coffin to the edge of the farm where there was a high cliff.

As he approached the cliff, he heard a light tapping on the lid from inside the coffin and opened it up. His father was still lying there peacefully. The father looked up at his son and said, Son, I know you are going to throw me over this cliff. But before you do, may I make a suggestion?

What is it? replied the son.

Throw me over the cliff if you like,” said the father, “but save this wooden coffin. Your children may find a use for it someday.

(via Zen Stories to Tell Your Neighbors)

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